impish

adjective

imp·​ish ˈim-pish How to pronounce impish (audio)
Synonyms of impishnext
: of, relating to, or befitting an imp
especially : mischievous
impishly adverb
impishness noun

Examples of impish in a Sentence

the gang of impish children ran into the street, utterly oblivious to the traffic
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lauren Elliott, though, was a designer at Broderbund Games, working in a former liquor store beneath a sign that said DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCY REDUCTION DEPARTMENT alongside an impish ex-Disney animator named Gene Portwood who often doodled Mickey Mouse in obscene poses. Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026 Both Colban siblings are soft talkers with impish, dry senses of humor. Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026 How could the man behind such works of impish, mischievous sweetness be so very bitter? Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026 Once again pointing to a mature take on something nostalgic , body mists aren’t regaled to to being impish starter scents. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impish

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impish was in 1652

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impish. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

impish

adjective
imp·​ish ˈim-pish How to pronounce impish (audio)
impishly adverb
impishness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on impish

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster